Fass German for cask.

Fermentation The conversion of grape juice into wine through the action of certain yeasts present in the juice, which turn sugar into alcohol. See also malolastic fermentation.

Feuillette A Choblis barrel.

Fiasco A Chianti flask.

Fine A general term of approbation denoting overall quality.

Finesse Literally 'fine-ness'. The word implies subtlety and distinction.

Fining Method of clarifying wine by pouring a coagulant (e.g. eggwhites, blood) on top and letting it settle to the bottom.

Finish The final taste left by a sip of wine on swallowing.

Fino The finest style of sherry - dry, delicate and usually light in color.

Fliers Little specks of sediment.

Flute A tall, narrow, cone-shaped glass, perhaps the prettiest for sparkling wine.

Fortified Strengthened by the addition of extra alcohol during production.

Foxy Tasting of native American or 'fox' grapes.

Frais French term meaning either fresh or cool.

Frappé French for very cold or iced.

Frizzante An Italian term meaning slightly sparkling, as opposed to spumante, fully sparkling.

Fruity Tasting pleasantly of ripe grapes - but a term so widely used as to have little clear meaning.

Füder Type of cask used for Mosel wine and holding about 960 liters.

Full or full-bodied Refers to a wine that is high in alcohol and extract, causing it to feel weighty and substantial in the mouth.

Fumé Literally 'smoky' - refers to the peculiar tangy aroma of certain young wines made from the Sauvignon Blanc, e.g. Pouilly Fumé.

Fût General French word for a cask.